Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 29 January 2024 | Download PDF

• Laughing gull, a migratory bird from North America, discovered for the first time in the country.
• Sightings reported at the Chittari estuary in Kasaragod district.

Key Points:

• Known for unique laughter-like calls, the laughing gull traveled thousands of kilometers from North America to the coastal region of Kerala.

Identification Amidst Diverse Avian Population:

• Smaller than the brown-headed gull, with distinctive features such as a dark upper part, black legs, long drooping bill, and a dark smudge on the back of the head.

Contribution to India’s Bird Species Count:

• The discovery elevates the total number of bird species found in India to 1,367.
• Kasaragod district contributes 400 species to the state’s overall count of 554.

Conservation Status:

• Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, as the species has a large and stable population.

• The INSAT-3DS satellite flagged off to the launch port at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• Scheduled to be launched on board GSLV F14 next month.

Objectives and Significance:

• Exclusive meteorological satellite designed to provide continuity of services to existing INSAT-3D and 3DR satellites (which aid in weather monitoring)
• Aims to significantly enhance the capabilities of the INSAT system.

Advanced Payloads:

• State-of-the-art payloads include a six-channel imager and 19-channel sounder meteorology payloads.
• Communication payloads, a data relay transponder (DRT), and a satellite-aided search and rescue (SAS&R) transponder.
• DRT instrument receives meteorological and oceanographic data, augmenting weather forecasting capabilities.
• SAS&R transponder incorporated for relaying distress signals/alerts, facilitating global search and rescue services.

• Nitish Kumar, President of Janata Dal (United), took oath as Bihar Chief Minister for the ninth time.
• This marks his fifth switch in political alliances since 2015.
• He rejoined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) after leaving it 18 months ago.

Key Points:

• Alongside Nitish Kumar, six Ministers and two Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha from the BJP were sworn in.
• The Cabinet is expected to be expanded further in the near future.

• Germany presents an inter-governmental proposal to sell 6 advanced conventional submarines to India.
• The proposal is part of India’s Navy P-75I procurement program.
• Discussions were recently held in New Delhi with a senior German delegation.
• The deal, expected to cost over ₹45,000 crore, is in competition between Germany and Spain.

India’s Navy P-75I procurement program

• Planned class of diesel-electric submarines for the Indian Navy.

Project Overview

• It is an acquisition plan for six conventional diesel-electric attack submarines.
• Project mainly emphasizes advanced capabilities, including air-independent propulsion (AIP), ISR, SOF, AShW, ASW, ASuW, land-attack capabilities, and more.
• All six submarines to be constructed in India.
• The project aligns with the Make in India initiative, emphasizing self-sufficiency and indigenous manufacturing in defense projects.

• Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, embarked on his 11th annual trip to Africa, visiting Egypt, Tunisia, Togo, and the Ivory Coast.
• The visit aimed at enhancing economic and security cooperation, implementing outcomes of the China-Africa Leaders Dialogue in August 2023.

Key Points:

Purpose of visit:

• Execution of three key initiatives: industrialization support, agricultural modernization, and talent development cooperation.
• Setting the groundwork for the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation 2024 (FOCAC).
• Mediation efforts for peace in Gaza, specifically addressing the Rafah border shared with Egypt.

Why is Africa China’s Primary Focus?

• Historical ties dating back to the 1950s, with China supporting African liberation movements.
• Importance of African support in China acquiring a UN Security Council seat in the 70s.
• Evolution from ideological support to the “Go Out Policy” encouraging Chinese companies to invest in Africa in 1999.
• Growth of Sino-African relations through FOCAC dialogues, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and strategic military presence.

Objectives of China in Africa:

• Securing access to crucial resources (cobalt, platinum, coltan) vital for China’s tech industry.
• Strengthening geopolitical alliances with Africa to sway international resolutions in forums like the UN General Assembly.
• Promoting the use of the Chinese Yuan (RMB) in trade, offering financial incentives, and restructuring African debt.
• Exploiting commercial opportunities through Africa’s import of finished goods, supporting Chinese exports and economy.

Concerns and Criticisms:

• Western concerns about Chinese investments being predatory, leading to debt traps.
• Varied African responses, with some poorly managing debt (e.g., Kenya, Zambia) and others benefiting from manageable arrangements.
• Chinese ‘non-interference’ stance providing space for authoritarian regimes in Africa to maintain power.

Odisha Regional Specific News

Judges Choice Category:

• Odisha Tableau: Adjudged the Best
• Gujarat Tableau: Second Prize
• Tamil Nadu Tableau: Third Prize

People’s Choice Category:

• Gujarat Tableau: Voted the Best
• Uttar Pradesh Tableau: Second Prize
• Andhra Pradesh Tableau: Third Prize

Ministry/Department Tableau Awards:

Judges Choice Category:

• Ministry of Culture (MoC) Tableau: Best

People’s Choice Category:

• Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Tableau: Best

Military Contingent Awards:

Judges Choice Category:

• Sikh Regiment: Best Marching Contingent from Services
• Delhi Police Women’s Wing: Best Marching Contingent from CAPFs/Auxiliary Forces

People’s Choice Category:

• Rajputana Rifles: Best Military Contingent
• CRPF Women’s Wing: Best Marching Contingent from CAPFs/Auxiliary Forces.

• The sea beach at Sonapur under Chikiti block of Ganjam district has become the second Blue Flag beach of Odisha after Puri.

Key Points:

• The application for certification was submitted by the Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM), an agency operating under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.
• The beach has successfully met all 33 stringent criteria established for obtaining the Blue Flag certification.

About Blue Flag status:

• • Blue Flag Certification is an internationally recognized eco-label awarded by a non-profit organization called the Foundation for Environment Education (FEE), Denmark. 
• The Blue Flag recognition is awarded by a jury comprising members from the IUCN, UNWTO, UNEP, and UNESCO after considering 33 parameters.

• • The certification is based on 33 parameters which are then divided into 4 major categories. They are-
• Environmental education and information
• Bathing water quality
• Environmental management
• Conservation and safety services on the beaches

• Purpose: Discussing the Past, Present, and Future of Odia Language
• Status: Odia Attained Classical Language Status
• Objective: Setting Goals for Language Propagation.
• The conference will be held at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar between 3rd and 5th February.
• Various events are organized to promote the language and generate interest among attendees, aiming for every participant to leave with a sense of pride in being Odia and a memorable experience.

Suggestions for Urban Language Promotion

• Display portraits of influential poets, writers, and linguists in prominent urban areas.
• Circumambulate the “Odia Asmita Rath” in various wards of urban self-governing bodies.
• Encourage the use of Odia in signboards, billboards, and hoardings.

• The 141-year-old heritage post office building in Odisha’s Jharsuguda, has undergone a stunning overhaul.
• Jharsuguda Post Office was established in 1882.
• It accorded a heritage tag in 2021

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